andrew_nyc said:

DebRD_ATL said: ...the muscle loss concern with lean mass...

Back pain as a lean mass side effect: not from the medication itself, but from rapid body composition changes. Losing 51 lbs shifts your center of gravity and your core muscles need time to adjust.

Physical therapy has been essential. Core strengthening exercises (planks, dead bugs, bird dogs) daily for 10 minutes have eliminated my lower back pain. Your body is literally relearning how to carry itself.

labquiet_amy said:

Right, and protein targets should be set on a reference weight rather than current weight.

Genuinely useful, thank you. I had the facts and not the framework. Taking it to my next appointment.

andrew_nyc said:

DebRD_ATL said: ...the muscle loss concern with lean mass...

DEXA scan update relevant to lean mass:

Scanned at months 0, 6, and 12. Here are the body comp numbers:

Lean mass preserved — actually GAINED 1-2 lbs thanks to progressive overload + 1.6g/kg protein. The lean mass discussion needs to include body comp data, not just scale weight.

JakeSmashed95 said:

I lifted three times a week throughout and still lost lean mass.

Regarding lean mass: I accidentally injected my dose intramuscularly instead of subcutaneously last week (went in at wrong angle, too deep). Called my pharmacist — they said it's not dangerous but may absorb faster, potentially causing more GI effects.

Sure enough, had worse nausea that day. Lesson learned: pinch the skin properly and use the right needle length for your body composition.

Moderator note: a couple of off-topic posts removed.